She was ready.

She was ready to finally meet the man who had brought her and her family here. The man who was the sole anchor of thousands of cattle children like her. The man who gave them hope, who gave them a ray of light in this dark demon world, who gave them a reason to survive.

So when she stepped into the room with her back straight and her shoulders squared, trying to look presentable as much as she could, she wasn't expecting someone to call out her name.

"Emma."

The voice sounded mature, masculine and so…. familiar.

Why was it so familiar?

Emerald green irises stared head, her breath hitching and shoulders slumping because soft blue hues greeted her, a warm smile on his face and tears clouded her vision suddenly, a single hot drop managing to escape and drip down her cheek as well.

He was there.

Her heart ached suddenly.

He was there, standing beside the wooden study table with his features touched by age but somehow still the same. He tilted his head to the side, continuing to smile softly, lovingly. "Emma?"

There it was again.

That familiar voice that filled her ribcage like hot water and sent her mind reeling back to memories of laughter and chases in tag. Her mouth was like sand paper, tongue refusing to move as she stared dumbly, stupidly. Tears rolled down her cheeks, hitting the tiled floor below as she watched him move, his expressions shifting to worried in a second.

"Emma," he spoke her name again, warm spreading in her chest like forest fire. "Emma, are you alr—"

Her legs moved on their own, a sudden rush of adrenaline pumping in her veins as she tackled into him. The gasp that escaped his lips and how he stumbled backwards in an attempt to balance both their weights reminded her of how physically frail he had used to be.

Her arms had coiled around his neck, a sob leaving her as she pressed her forehead against his collarbone. Had he always been so tall?

"Norman," she whispered quietly, tears falling down her face uncontrolled and unchecked. "Norman, I can't believe it's you."

Hands gently ran up and down her back as she silently wept against his shoulder, his voice filling her ears again, so soothing and assuring. "Yeah, it's me."

She squeezed his torso tight, eliciting a laugh from him and then she finally stepped back, watery green eyes meeting his and he blinked as her hands cupped his face, her calloused fingers squishing his cheeks in as she gave him a dissecting look.

"It's really you, isn't it?" She spoke hurriedly, scrutinising his face as she went on with her inspection. "You're not a doppelgänger or anything, right?"

Blue eyes lit up with amusement, a smile managing its way on his pouting lips and he chucked lightly. "No, Emma. It's me alright."

Warmth blossomed in her chest, and she smiled brightly as well, parting her lips to verbalise her surprise and excitement on seeing him here but she paused, forest green eyes growing round like twin moons as his hands gravitated upwards to touch her face, his smooth palms cradling her cheeks gently as he ran his thumb across her creamy skin.

"You haven't changed at all," he murmured while she found herself leaning into his touch. "Is Ray the same as well?"

His thumb wandered aimlessly near the place where Gilda had strapped a small braid of her orange hair in, and his eyes widened suddenly, a look of utter confusion crossing his face and she couldn't help but giggle.

"I left it at Grace Field," she explained, placing her hand against his. "But it doesn't hurt at all now."

The way his eyes seemed to soften made her heart flutter, and she looked over him again, taking in how much he had changed. He was so different from the Norman who had left her in Grace Field. He was taller and broader, though she could still make out the faint traces of baby fat left on his features. His hands were bigger, the one on her left cheek remaining there as his thumb lingered over the spot of her absent ear.

She peered upwards through long lashes, meeting his thoughtful gaze and suddenly, all the emotions she had felt in the moment when she had laid on her bed back at the orphanage, with hot tears burning her eyes and her hands clutching his letter close to her chest, came back with full force.

He was there.

Her feet moved unconsciously, inching closer as her hands hovered on the back of his neck.

He was right infront of her.

"Emma?" Norman smiled questionably as her palms pressed up against his neck.

He was real.

His gaze had become curious, unsure on why was she pursing her lips as her eyes concentrated solely on him.

He was alive.

"Emma, what're you—"

She wasn't going to let him go this time.

And with a single tug on his neck, his mouth was atop hers, her cheeks flushing when he let out a surprised noise. He went stiff in her arms, sour regret bursting in her chest but just as she was about to pull away, his arm slid around her waist, her head tipping back a little as he weaved his fingers into her orange locks.

Emma had never found the floor so fascinating until the moment they had parted. A hand grazed her chin, lifting her face upwards and Norman leaned his forehead against hers, a smile on his warm face as his blue eyes twinkled.

"I missed you too, Emma."

A/N: I'm not proud of this, but it's been awhile I've written anything sooooo I decided why not start with my new favorite ship? owo tbh this is how I wanted their meet up to be like lol. Like literally, just confess, you dummies!

Thanks for reading~